Over HK$327m ($42m) has been donated by various Hong Kong-related insurance companies through their charitable arms, group and parent companies to victims of the 26 November high-rise fire disaster in the city.
The amount includes HK$9.18m donated by members of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI) and the industry, the organisation said in a media release on 3 December.
The monetary contributions are in addition to a series of facilitative measures undertaken by insurers to assist victims.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po is blamed for the loss of more than 150 lives, as rescuers scour the burnt building for additional victims. The tragedy is one of the deadliest blazes in Hong Kong in decades.
HKFI Chief Executive Selina Lau said, “This tragedy has united our community in grief, but also in determination to support those in need. Through our drive, insurance companies and their colleagues have raised over HK$8.6m for this important cause," said HKFI Chief Executive Ms Selina Lau.
“Alongside HKFI's seed fund and our staff of HK$510,000, we are contributing a total of HK$$9,177,399 to the Government’s “Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po”, as part of our commitment to walk with the community on the road to recovery.”